British Afghan mission 'should be over by 2015'

The Prime Minister has declared that British soldiers should leave Afghanistan by 2015.

Speaking during his trip to Canada for the G8 and G20 summits yesterday, David Cameron said he wants the UK's troops home by the next general election.

"We can't be there for another five years, having been there for nine years already," he said.

However, Mr Cameron underlined that he would not set a definitive deadline for withdrawal, saying he prefers "not to deal in too strict timetables".

He expressed agreement with what he called "the Obama plan" – envisaging this year's surge in troop numbers to begin to be drawn down in July 2011, pending a review in six months' time.

The Prime Minister's remarks to Sky News came as the names of the latest four British soldiers to die in Afghanistan were released. They were Colour Sergeant Martyn Horton, Private Douglas Halliday and Private Alex Isaac, all from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, and Lance Corporal David Ramsden of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.